Doctor Accused of Giving Chemo to Patients Who Didn’t Need It

A south Texas doctor has been charged in a $240 million health care fraud and international money laundering scheme.

The indictment unsealed Monday accuses Dr. Jorge Zamora-Quezada of falsely diagnosing patients with degenerative diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. It also alleges that the 61-year-old physician and his co-conspirators administered chemotherapy and other toxic medications to patients. The assistant attorney general, John Cronan, alleges Zamora-Quezada orchestrated the fraud scheme and put the health of children, elderly and disabled patients in jeopardy.

The indictment says the excessive medical procedures were allegedly used to fund Zamora-Quezada’s lavish lifestyle, including a million-dollar private jet and Maserati both emblazoned with his initials.